Komodo worth it from Bali if we want big fish?

[Ashantiashanti]

the big action drifts etc are more in the north. The top sites down south are more about soft corals, invertebrates, critters, and some schooling fish.
Manta Alley down south and Makassar Reef in the north are both good manta sites, as are a couple of others in the north. Odds are good you will see them in the north. Makassar typically has better viz than manta alley as manta alley can be green and swelly at times. Crystal Rock, Castle Rock, Batu Bolong, Tatawa, Shotgun are all in the north and visited by day boats, they are all great dives with good potential for turtles, napoleans, schools of fusiliers, GTs and blue fin trevally etc. If you are living in Bali and don't visit Komodo while you are here you will kick yourself...
Here is a photo from Hard to Find (Crystal) Rock
View attachment 179819

A few day dives it will be then! Any must do dive sites?

 

[NickLongfellow]

[video=vimeo;83270360]http://vimeo.com/83270360[/video]

No, no big stuff in Komodo!

 

[Justfollowme]

Day diving from labuanbajo can be done easily and you can get to all the great spots in the north.
Just a word of warning... you mentioned money is tight, do NOT dive with the cheapest operator!

Komodo is famous for big currents. This is what attracts the big fish. Big currents can be dangerous so it's very very important you dive with a REPUTABLE shop. Labuanbajo is experiencing a surge in new shops and unfortunatly not all of them are safe. You want to be sure you have an experienced guide who knows the sites. Don't pinch pennies on your safety! Established day operators like Dive Komodo, Divine Diving, Bajo Dive Club, Wicked, Blue Marlin, and Komodo Dive are setting safety standards and regulations for the community but its not mandatory and safety isn't always cheap. So spend the extra $10 to dive with a reputable shop. Check trip advisor before.

 

[Wingy]

If you do opt for land based......remember, Komodo Dragons are big stuff